By Dan Burke
Special to the Reporter

(Editor's Note: Raymond P. Donahoe, longtime Cedar Grove activist and youth sports organizer, died last Wednesday, Sept. 6, at age 62. John O'Toole, current president of the Cedar Grove Civic Association, said Donahoe is "irreplaceable."

"He was our 'go-to' guy, even as late as last year," says O'Toole. "Even when he was feeling poorly, he never complained and he would make every meeting. He went to great pains to do that."


EDITORIAL: Donahoe brought spark, levity to civic pursuits

Here, his longtime friend and neighbor Dan Burke remembers a man whose love for politics, youth baseball and learning was equaled only by his devotion to his family - and his hometown.

Raymond "Ray" Donahoe graduated from Christopher Columbus High in the North End. He then went to Boston State and graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelors Degree in Education. Later he earned a Masters Degree in Education from Boston State.

In 1966, he started a stellar career in education at St. William School in Savin Hill as a sixth grade teacher. For the next sixteen years Ray inspired the children of St. William's to use all of their talents to the maximum. He did this with humor, inspiration and a brilliant mind.

At the same time, Ray was a civic, parish and youth leader in the St. Brendan's and Cedar Grove area of Dorchester. Ray was the same calm, reasoned and dedicated leader in all of his activities. He would 'call' Bingo, bring reason to differing sides of a heated civic issue and make each and every of his young charges perform to their best using the aplomb of a diplomat. He was a leader who led by doing. He felt that elected leaders were public servants and he set high standards for those he helped to elect.

In 1982, Ray had to make a career decision. The city administration asked him to leave his teaching position and become a manager in the Transportation Department. He brought the same work ethic and sense of humor to his new position that made him a success in the classroom. Morale in the department and work output went up as Ray applied his simple principles of human relations to another area. Ray continued his community activities, becoming the president of both the Cedar Grove Baseball League and the Cedar Grove Civic Association.

During the last 45 years, Ray has had a positive influence on all facets of the Dorchester community. He made sports fun for kids. He made adults more responsible. He also helped our elected officials focus on what was important- the future of our community. Dorchester is a poorer place without his presence and contribution. We are also a far richer place for having had him share his life and his ideals with us. It is with this sharing that Ray's lasting contribution and legacy will continue to enrich our lives.

During his lifetime he was a loyal son, a loving brother and a cherished uncle for his nieces and nephews.

Ray was the beloved son of the late Raymond P. and Mary V. (Devine) Donahoe. Devoted brother of Laura M. & her husband Richard McManus of Holbrook & Maryalice D. Murphy of Dorchester. Dear uncle of Daniel & Angela Murphy, Scott & Ann Murphy of NY, Maura & Scott Carroll of Weymouth, Meggan & Dominic Maloni of Wilbraham, Joanne Hay of Holbrook, Matthew McManus and Jill Mazzoni of NYC and Marc McManus and Andrea Pittori of Weymouth. Great uncle of James, Ariana, Olivia, Cassie, Chloe, Lily, Tommy, Liam, Finnigan and Grace. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made in memory of Raymond to St. Brendan's School, 23 Rita Rd., Dorchester, MA 02124, Boston Dialysis Patients Fund, c/o the Carney Hospital, 2100 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124 or the John Patrick Crowley or Carolyn Crowley Trust Fund, c/o John Crowley, 52 Green St., Fairhaven, MA.

Dan Burke is a lifelong resident of Dorchester, a longtime friend of Ray Donahoe and a former member of the Boston School Committee.